CODA is one of several films from the last year that show young people struggling to carve out or create a normal existence in the midst of circumstances that can and do overwhelm many of their peers and elders.
The acronym stands for Children of Deaf Adults, and the protagonist is played by Emilia Jones. As the only hearing member of her family, Ruby Rossi is a full-time interpreter for her deaf parents. She gradually discovers a love of singing, but the commitment to her new passion requires time away from her family and some hefty amounts of guilt.
The plot is a bit predictable at times, but I appreciated CODA’s willingness to show the family as functional but less than perfect. Ruby’s mom, played by Marlee Matlin, lays some heavy guilt on her daughter, and her deaf brother (Daniel Durant) resents his younger sibling’s place of prominence in the family. The material borders on melodrama, but the film is propelled by some absolutely stellar performances, including Jones’s and that of Troy Kotsur as her dad.
Why is this film specifically recommended to faith audiences? As the world we live in becomes increasingly polarized (socially and politically), works of art that invite and illustrate introspection and empathy are rarer. Those are qualities we need and that the film has. — Kenneth R. Morefield (2021)
Arts & Faith Lists:
2021 Arts & Faith Ecumenical Jury — #7